How the NHT can deliver on its housing promise

Dear editor,

On a quiet morning in Spanish Town, builder David Walker reflected on his 15 years of contribution to the National Housing Trust (NHT). Despite his unwavering dedication to the business, he still rents a two-bedroom house with his wife and three children. His hope for a home in NHT is more like a mirage. “Mass God, don’t sleep,” he muttered to himself, clinging to the belief that justice would eventually prevail.

Walker’s plight reflects the frustration of thousands of Jamaicans. The NHT, which is designed to provide affordable housing, continues to underperform despite posting a $21.8 billion surplus in the 2023/2024 financial year. With only 0.18 percent of homes built each year for the employed workforce, it is clear that new transformative solutions are long overdue.

Below I present fresh and practical ideas for NHT to increase housing production and affordability.

1) Community Land Trusts (CLTs): A bold departure from traditional ownership models. Community land trusts (CLTs) involve local communities owning land collectively, while individuals own or rent homes on that land. This structure reduces the cost of land while ensuring continued accessibility.

For example, in Burlington, Vermont, USA, CLTs are used to provide affordable housing while preventing speculative property sales. The introduction of CLT in Jamaica could help stabilize housing costs, especially in urban hotspots such as Kingston and Montego Bay.

2) Green Mortgage Incentives: NHT could introduce green mortgage programs that reward savers for choosing green housing. These may include interest rate discounts for homes with solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems or energy-efficient designs.

Similar programs in Germany and Canada have proven effective in reducing homeowners’ utility bills while advancing national environmental goals. Such a model could complement Jamaica’s focus on renewable energy, especially as energy costs remain high.

3) Land reclamation and vertical housing construction. In densely populated urban areas, land shortages limit housing projects. NHT could explore land reclamation projects, converting underutilized spaces such as old warehouses, brownfield sites or industrial areas into residential centers.

At the same time, NHT can prioritize vertical housing development by constructing multi-storey apartments equipped with modern amenities. Cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong are excelling at vertical housing development, making the most of limited land resources to house millions of people.

4) Accelerated construction using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. NHT can use artificial intelligence and robotics to optimize housing construction. AI tools can optimize building designs, predict material needs and minimize waste. Meanwhile, robotics can speed up repetitive construction tasks, thereby reducing labor costs.

Companies like ICON in the US are already using AI-powered 3D printing to build houses in a matter of days. If adopted in Jamaica, this approach could revolutionize affordable housing.

5) Nationwide housing stock for low-income people. Many Jamaicans have difficulty qualifying for NHT credits due to income restrictions; therefore, NHT can create a National Housing Fund in partnership with private corporations, diaspora organizations and international aid agencies.

This fund will offer interest-free loans or grants to low-income people with flexible repayment terms. A similar model in Mexico has helped millions of workers keep their homes despite financial hardship.

6) Housing Innovation Accelerator: NHT could create a Housing Innovation Accelerator, inviting startups, NGOs and universities to come up with innovative housing solutions. Participants could receive funding and technical support to implement their ideas, fostering a culture of creativity in solving the housing crisis.

Similar accelerators in Singapore and South Africa have introduced revolutionary technology and housing design. Jamaica could benefit from a local version that emphasized cultural and environmental considerations.

NHT was founded to serve the people of Jamaica, but its current trajectory risks betraying that mission. By adopting new policies such as community land trusts, green mortgage incentives, and AI-powered construction, NHT can deliver on its promise of affordable housing.

As we continue to hope for a brighter future, let’s remember that housing is more than just shelter, it’s about dignity, safety and opportunity. Through bold leadership and innovative solutions, NHT can ensure that every Jamaican has a place to call home.

Janiel McEwan

[email protected]